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Boeing's new 777X flagship is coming soon. But its buyers are struggling

The biggest names in global air travel have signed up for Boeing's enormous new 777X airliner. But nearly all of them are facing problems that could make it hard for them to go ahead with their purchases.

The airliner, which will seat 350 to 425 passengers, is set to debut in 2020. Boeing's factories are gearing up for production of the 777X later this year. Boeing(BA) calls it "the boss," and it has the largest jet engines the aerospace industry has ever developed.

Seven airlines have ordered 340 of the planes. But six of those companies, which account for more than 90% of the orders, are each facing various business challenges.

They're all fending off the rise of low-cost carriers that are driving down ticket prices — making their businesses tougher to navigate. And the Middle Eastern carriers in particular are dealing with a laptop ban that has hurt business.

None of these airlines has changed its 777X order. But if airlines scale back or slow down their 777X orders, that would temper how quickly Boeing can generate a return on its multi-billion dollar investment.

A Boeing rendering of the 777X, which is scheduled to enter service in 2020.

When airlines put in their first orders in 2013, most wanted to take delivery as soon as possible. But that's no longer the case.

With airlines happy to wait for the 777X, Boeing is slowing things down, too.

Boeing still plans to make its first delivery in 2020, but it recently pushed back the jet's maiden flight to around February 2019, four months later than initially planned.